Poly(3-aminobenzoic acid) decorated with cobalt zeolitic benzimidazolate framework for electrochemical production of clean hydrogen.
Modibane, Kwena Desmond ; Waleng, Ngwako Joseas ; Ramohlola, Kabelo Edmond ; Maponya, Thabiso Carol ; Monama, Gobeng Release ; Makgopa, Katlego ; Hato, Mpitloane Joseph
Modibane, Kwena Desmond
Waleng, Ngwako Joseas
Ramohlola, Kabelo Edmond
Maponya, Thabiso Carol
Monama, Gobeng Release
Makgopa, Katlego
Hato, Mpitloane Joseph
Citations
Altmetric:
Abstract
A novel composite of poly (3-aminobenzoic acid) (PABA) and a cobalt zeolitic benzimidazolate framework (CoZIF) has been studied for the production of hydrogen through the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The structural characteristics and successful synthesis of PABA, CoZIF and the PABA/CoZIF composite were confirmed and investigated using dierent techniques. Probing-ray diraction for phase analysis revealed that the composite showed a decrease and shift in peak intensities, confirming the incorporation of CoZIF on the PABA backbone via in situ polymerization, with an improvement in the crystalline phase of the polymer. The thermal stability of PABA was enhanced upon composite formation. Both scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed that the composite had a rough surface, owing to an interaction between the CoZIF and the external surface of the PABA. The electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance of the synthesized samples was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry and Tafel analysis. The composite possessed a Tafel slope value of 156 mV/dec and an of 0.38, suggesting that the Volmer reaction coupled with either the Heyrovsky or Tafel reaction as the rate determining step. The fabricated composite showed high thermal stability and excellent tolerance as well as high electroactivity towards the HER, showing it to be a promising non-noble electrocatalyst to replace Pt-based catalysts for hydrogen generation.
Description
Date
2020-07-16
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Collections
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Keywords
Poly(3-aminobenzoic acid), Metal organic frameworks, Electrocatalyst, Hydrogen evolution reaction, Tafel analysis